I Went to Disneyland After California Reopened. Did the Experience Suffer?

Disneyland calls itself the happiest place on earth. When I think of happiness, a pandemic isn’t part of the equation. When I think of “on earth” in 2021, the pandemic is a huge factor. In the state of California, most restrictions are lifted. Disney has been “gradually increasing” capacity in their California parks since June 15th, meaning their protocols are continuously changing and remain a work in progress.

I subjected myself to be part of the experiment. Admittedly, I am a bit of a novice when it comes to Disney. My experiences in the park, good or bad, may not be directly related to pandemic regulations. However, my time in the park was undoubtedly impacted by the pandemic. I am fully vaccinated, so I was somewhat comfortable going into the park. I also know Disneyland attracts a lot of children and most of them are not vaccinated. Despite eased restrictions by the state of California, Disney ought to know some parkgoers are still vulnerable.

This was a trip to Disney, and I had a very enjoyable time. The staff puts a lot of thought into the experience and they set very high standards for themselves. Guests pay a lot of money to receive this experience and Disney knows a day in the park gets expensive. With such a high price tag, Disney has to know people will have low tolerance for errors and delays.

Right now, Disney is walking a blurry line between their ideal experience and public safety. I was a bit surprised to see where…